Redemption Conference planned to reach drug dealers, gang members

Rebuilding Broken Places CDC, the NAACP and concerned local clergy will sponsor the fourth annual Drug Dealer Gang Member Redemption Conference Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Rebuilding Broken Place at 2105 N. William St.

For a more than four years, the STOP the Funeral Initiative, formed in collaboration with Rebuilding Broken Places CDC, the Goldsboro Wayne Chapter of the NAACP and the community group Covenant Partners, has been implementing a strategy in response to the gang related violence and drug abuse in Goldsboro and Wayne County.

Initiative members have worked with law enforcement officers and court officials to identify drug dealers and gang members with the intent of turning their lives around.

This year's conference will feature facilitators who will offer participants entry into the Second Chance Program, that will take place throughout next year and will consist of various workshops, seminars, opportunity fairs, job fairs, and more. It will be entitled "Bringing a Message of Change."

The events, beginning in January, will help young people make a choice to change their lives and provide the support needed to make that change.

Beginning 10 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, the conference will be held at Greenleaf Christian Church at 2110 N. William St.

At 10 a.m. on Friday at Word Faith Center at 296 Buck Swamp Road, there will be a special session for Wayne Middle High Academy students featuring Otis Lyons and his group, Campaign4Change, made up of former drug dealers and gang members.

Friday afternoon there will be a brief word "From a Mother's Heart," by Renada McLamb, the mother of Princess King, the 4-year-old child accidentally shot to death in an incident earlier this year, followed by a workshop "Employment is a Full-Time Job," by Vivica McIntyre of the Employment Security Commission.

On Friday evening, Dennis Gaddy, the executive director of CSI, will deliver a message for conference graduates, along with a worship service to be held at Greenleaf Christian Church at 7.

Saturday morning will be a community cookout and will feature food, a basketball competition, games, prizes, entertainment and more.